Chapter Twenty-One: Love Her
"Bella, have you thought any more about the date for our wedding?"
She stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to the bed. She lifted the bed cover and placed her head on his bare chest. A little sigh of relief escaped from an exhausted day at work. Her eyes closed and she didn't have the strength to converse with him.
"It's been a long day. Can we please discuss this another time?"
Edward was perplexed at her answer. Was she really tired or ignoring his question?
"Actually, I'd like to discuss this now."
She lifted her head up and stared at him. "Really? Right now? I have to get up in less than six hours. Don't you remember it took us so long last time to set a date, and we still didn't agree on a date. Plus, I'm worn-out."
He pulled the bangs across her forehead behind her ears and felt guilty for making her do this.
"We'll make this quick."
She propped her head down and let out a yelp of sorrow. "If it means that much to you, then pick a date. Just tell me when and I'll be sure to show up."
He grinned at her, "You're serious?"
"Yes, for a tradeoff for sleep."
She laid her head back onto his chest and inhaled his masculine scent. Her fingers traced his abdominal muscles and admired his intricate body.
"It doesn't feel like you want sleep, Bella."
"Oh but I do; however, I could use something else to really knock me out."
He grabbed her hand and held it close to his lips, "Are you trying to manipulate me so I'll forget about settling for a date?" His lips kissed every one of her fingertips.
"Why the sudden need to decide now?" She traced his lips with her fingertips then moved along his jawline and up to his ear. She wrapped his curly hair around her finger and pushed it behind his ear.
"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to introduce you as my wife." He was blatantly honest with her. He'd never felt more sure about anything. Why was it so hard for her to accept it? "But are you ready, Miss Swan?"
"Alright, I promise if you pick the date then I will certainly be there."
He rolled her onto her back. "No questions asked?"
She shook her head. What was she getting herself into? It didn't matter at this point because she was ready but also timid at the idea of a wedding to Edward.
"It's all yours, Edward."
He pinned her down and held her down with is weight. "And you're all mine, Bella."
His hands began to caress her, and she raised her body wherever his hands met. He placed his lips by her ear, and tantalized her with subtle kisses and tasting her with his tongue. "In two weeks then, I'll be able to call you Mrs. Bella Cullen."
The motionless body was the initial reaction that he had expected from her. Her piercing eyes locked with his. "TWO weeks! You're impossible, Edward!" She tried to move but he had locked her down already.
"You said no questions asked." He released his laughter but she wasn't having any of it.
"I'm not asking, I'm yelling! That is not enough time to pull off a wedding especially if you want the entire universe in attendance."
"The only person that matters is you and me. I could care less of anyone else except your brother, my mother and Sue, maybe Alice?"
She finally stopped wiggling and placed her hands on his face. She was calmer now. "Are you serious?"
"Whatever it takes to have you sooner than later."
She kissed him hard and couldn't believe he was willing to modify such plans just for her. But how on earth was she going to be ready? She barely had a chance to even glimpse at wedding dresses let alone imagine what she would even wear.
"I have to find a dress! How is that going to be possible?"
"Really, Bella? I'm about to explode here with your naked body underneath me, and you're worried over a dress?"
He was right. It was such a petty thing. The important thing was she was going to be his forever. She pulled him down so she could kiss him, and soon they were bounded together for the rest of the evening.
Bella was panicking a tad bit. The event was a few hours away and she was bombarded with questions from her staff. This wasn't the norm, but for some reason her head wasn't processing the same anymore. There was so much going on at once.
Edward had reached out to Jessica to coordinate the wedding, so Bella was given the task of providing her guest list. She looked at her email and reviewed list over and over again.
1. Brent
2. The entire staff at The Sweet Encounter
3. Leah
4. Mrs. Black
5. Jacob
Jacob wouldn't accept the invite she thought. But she felt compelled to ask him. They were on good terms now, plus she wanted Leah there. She looked over her list again, and then while holding her breath, she hit the send button to Jessica.
Bella went into the kitchen and started boxing the desserts. Less than an hour and her phone was buzzing nonstop. She finally had the time to pull it out of her apron pocket.
Edward.
She had a hunch he was going to call, so she excused herself and went into her office.
"Good afternoon, Edward."
"Bella."
"Are you well?"
"I'm fine except I noticed the guest list to our wedding that you sent Jessica."
"Yes."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Is there something you want me to say?"
"You know exactly what I'm thinking so don't play coy with me."
She closed her eyes and wished everything was simpler. "Look, I invited him because I want Leah there as well as Mrs. Black. It would be discourteous to not invite him. To be honest, he may not come."
"Bella, do you understand how this makes me feel?"
They both became silent on the phone. She wanted to discuss this further with him but she was running out of time.
"Edward, I don't have time right now. Please can we talk about this later tonight?"
"That's right. I forgot you've committed to Jacob once again."
"That's not fair, Edward."
"Bye, Bella."
He hung up the phone before she could say anything else. She really wanted to discuss it further with him, but the timing seemed to be against her. She placed her phone on the desk and stared at it for a moment. She pondered if she should call him back now or let him release some steam first?
However, Alice barged through the door before Bella could clear her thoughts, "Bella! Sam dropped the ganache, Renee misplaced the displays again, and I don't know if I should use the circular platters or square ones."
Bella couldn't believe the chaos of this day. It had to get easier, she hoped. She went back out into the kitchen and started resolving all issues without breaking a sweat.
"Circular plates, please, Alice. The displays are already in the van and ready to go. I will whip up the ganache if you could please close out the register and lock the front doors. Now, let's all get ready and leave now before the guests start to arrive."
Edward sat at his desk contemplating his behavior towards the wedding invites. Surely he wasn't in the wrong to question the wedding list, particularly Jacob. He understood her reasoning, but could she not understand his demise in having her ex-lover at their wedding?
He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back against his chair, staring into the blank canvas of a ceiling. Two weeks left and did he want to argue about this? Hell, in the end she was going to say "I do" to him not Jacob. Hold yourself together, Edward. You know she loves you and that's all that matters. Don't be an ass or else you could lose her. His conversation with himself was working. Please her once dammit and give in.
Edward was eager to call her and apologize but she didn't pick up. He forgot the charity event was tonight, so she was going to be unavailable for a while. He figured he would be patient and wait until she'd come home tonight.
His phone vibrated and thinking it was Bella he answered without hesitation.
"Bella?"
He heard an inconsolable cry on the other end. He was confused and finally looked at his phone. Sue.
"Sue! What is it!"
She was trying hard to mumble out her words but they were buried in her cries.
"Sue! I'm on my way now but tell me what it is."
She took in deep breaths and was finally able to speak.
"Mrs. Cullen. She suffered a heart attack. The ambulance has arrived but, Edward, she doesn't look well. Please hurry."
She began to cry again and all he could do was run. His heart was palpitating out of his chest. He pressed the elevator button a thousand times and it seemed to never arrive.
"Please, Mom, please wait."
The ringing of the elevator stirred Edward's trance, and he had never raced with time before in his life.
When Edward arrived, he'd never seen so many wires surrounding his mom. She looked pale and drained. At the corner was Sue sitting, rocking her body and praying into her hands. She saw Edward and mouthed, "Sorry." Edward nodded his head and didn't want Sue to feel sorry for any of this.
Edward leaned onto the bed, "Mom." His voice was shaking. He barely had the strength to utter another word. He clasped onto her hands and held on tight. His lips kissed her lifeless hands. He whispered a small prayer to her, and spoke to her.
"Mom, I'm here. Don't leave me. I want to be selfish and have you beside me just a little bit longer. Your boy needs you. I can't do this. I don't know how to be alone."
His tears continued running down her hands, and he then felt a sudden motion from her finger. His eyes directed at hers, and she was trying to open them.
"Mom! Sue, get the nurse!"
Sue ran out of the room, and Edward was left alone with his mom. He released a smile seeing she was capable of opening her eyes and squeezing his hand. Her lips started to move and she was muffling a sound.
"What is it, Mom? I can't hear you."
He lifted his head and leaned his ear towards her lips. She repeated the word several times and he finally understood her.
"Bella. Bella."
His heart wanted to cry out. She remembered. She remembered Bella. He realized he needed to call Bella. He took out his phone and called her, but there was no answer. He texted her to call him, but there was no response. He called again and left a detailed message. He needed her now more than ever.
Bella was pleased with the outcome of her team's effort in working diligently for the charity event. They all seemed exhausted but were elated at the turn out. She finally could breathe now.
She felt someone press their hand on her lower back. "I can't thank you enough." His whisper was almost too close.
"Jacob." She slipped herself away not meaning to insult his touch. His face read her body language and he lifted his hand up.
"I'm sorry to have startled you."
"It's fine, but you're more than welcome. It's always rewarding to see the results from these fundraisers."
Her smile seemed force, but she realized she had to wind down the evening quick. She placed her hand in her apron pocket to grab her phone, but felt an empty pocket. Both hands searched again and her phone was nowhere to be found.
"Is everything alright, Bella?"
"I can't seem to find my cell phone." She traced back to when the last time she used her phone. Of course, it was her conversation with Edward about Jacob. She left it on her desk. "Oh bloody hell, I have to go back to the shop and get it."
"I can take you, if you don't mind."
"Please don't bother. I'll have Alice take me. You have to attend to the guests."
He took one step closer to her, "Bella, they're attended to. At least let me do this since you've done so much for me tonight already."
She nodded her head and decided it wouldn't be an issue. "I need to touch base with Alice first to let her know I'm going to leave."
The ride to her shop was quiet. Her mind was still on Edward, and she didn't know how to tackle this invite with Jacob. He finally started the conversation.
"Will you get some rest now after this event?"
"Maybe a little rest would help, but I've got another event to plan. So we'll see if rest will be in my books."
"Which event for your shop?"
She felt embarrassed having to answer him, "Actually, the wedding. We're having it in two weeks so you can imagine the rush in everything."
"Two weeks?" His sudden rise in his voice gave way that he wasn't ready to hear this news.
She decided to talk to him about the invitation. "Jacob, I know you and I are at odds, but I still consider you a dear friend. It would mean a lot to me if you came, but I understand completely if you wish to not accept our invite."
He parked in front of her shop, and didn't know how to answer her. "Bella, I'll be there." His heart felt tormented for accepting, but the bright smile on her face reminded him why he still had so much love for her.
She leaned over and hugged him. "Thank you." As she took off her seat belt, he got out of his seat and went over to open her door. "You don't have to see me inside."
"Not a problem. I'll make sure you get to your vehicle."
Bella got inside her office and picked up her phone. She noticed the number of missed calls, text and voicemail. They were all from Edward. Jacob noticed her change in emotion as she placed the phone to her ear.
"Bella. Please if you get this message. My mom . . . I don't think she's going to make it. She . . . um . . . she woke up and she remembered you. So please, if you can, come because I need you and I don't know what to do."
She felt her entire body chill. Her eyes filled with uncontrollable tears. She walked out of the office, but hit the door trim.
"Whoah, hey, what's going on?" Jacob grabbed her before she was about to collapse.
"It's Edward. I need to go to him."
"Where?"
"The hospital. It's his mother."
He picked her up and walked her towards his car.
"No, my car is over there." She quickly replied.
"Bella, you're in no condition to drive. I'll take you to him."
What seemed like an eternity was only a few minutes to the hospital. Bella was too fast for Jacob and left him to fall behind. She found Mrs. Cullen's room and slowly pushed the door open.
The image in front of her heaved her heart. Edward was seated beside the bed with his head resting by Mrs. Cullen's arm. His hand was still holding onto her hand. Mrs. Cullen was in a deep sleep and her look weary from whatever she had been through. Bella placed her hand on his shoulders and laid her head on his back.
He was startled by the warmth and touch, but he recognized the soft hands that held onto his.
"Bella." He gave in and freed himself of the emotions he had been holding in. She held him in her arms and rocked him like a baby needing the comfort of his mother. She soothed him by rubbing her hands on his back and running her hand through his hair. The warm tears soaked through her thin layered shirt, and she cried with him. She didn't want him to carry all the pain.
"I'm here."
She kissed the top of his head as he rested his head on her chest. His grasp tightened and he was afraid to let her go. She turned to look at Mrs. Cullen and noticed her eyes were slowly opening.
"Mrs. Cullen." She whispered.
"Mom."
With all the strength in her, Mrs. Cullen held onto Bella's hand, and she grabbed Edward's hand. She joined both their hands together and looked at Edward. Her blue eyes seemed to fade away, but not before she could speak once more with her sweetest smile, "Love her."
In an instant, they felt Mrs. Cullen's hand slipping from theirs, her eyes closing shut and her last breath left her gentle soul.
As if all the sound in the room became muffled, Edward's cry out to his mom was heart wrenching. He lifted her still body towards him and cried out to her. Bella tried to comfort him, but he was in agony. The nurses came in and tried to calm him too, but he was too strong for them.
"Edward, please." Bella attempted to pull him, but his arm had accidentally pushed her.
Jacob barged into the room and picked up Bella. "Hey."
The moment Edward saw Jacob he lost it. "You son of a bitch, what the hell are you doing here!" Edward turned to look at Bella, "It's always going to be him, isn't it? I'm never going to win, am I?"
"No, Edward. You don't know what you're saying. You're upset." Bella was shocked at his comment. He needed to understand. "Please, Edward, not now." She placed her hand on his arm, but he yanked it away.
"You're right, not now. Not ever. Looks like I'm going to make this easy on you." With the darkest eyes she's ever seen from Edward, he extended his arm out with his finger and pointed out the door. "Leave."
"I'm not leaving you alone."
"What do you not understand, Bella. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to leave."
She couldn't believe his behavior. He wasn't himself. Jacob took her arm and pulled her out of the room. Her face became pale at the thought of leaving Edward, but Jacob's strength overpowered her own and she felt as if she was floating like a ghost out of the room.
Edward tried everything in his power not to go after her. His heart felt heavy and torn, but it was burning from jealousy seeing her with Jacob. He loved her so much that he failed to see that she was never in love with him.
A/N: Thank you for remaining faithful to this story. I had a hard time writing this, but I wanted the raw emotions from Edward. Please vote if you like this chapter. Much love 3
-KL